PAMIA Newsletter
Issue #2 May 1991
MAY CALENDAR
May 6th, 1991: PAMIA May Doubleheader!
Topic I: Making Equipment Evaluation More Effective -or- What is CITECH? Presenter: Robert Mosenkis, CITECH
Topic II: Starting an In-House Radiology Equipment Service Program Presenter: Frank Sharer, Director of Clinical Engineering Hahnemann University Hospital
Place: Hahnemann University Hospital (215) 448-8486
RSVP: by May 3rd, 1991
May 15th, 1991: Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation 26th Annual Meeting and Exposition Washington Hilton and Towers Washington, DC (800) 332-2264
PAMIA PHEEDBACK!!!
In each issue of the PAMIA Newsletter, an objective topic will be presented with the intention that the PAMIA Membership reply with opinions. Feedback ranging from simple votes to editorials are encouraged. Ideas for future "PAMIA PHEEDBACK" topics are greatly appreciated.
Last issue's topic:
If a device due for Insp/PM is in use (on a patient) and an "In Use", "Minor", "Visual", etc. inspection is performed, should the device continue to be due for a "Major" (or full) Insp/PM?
Number of responses: 40 Agree: 33 (82.5%) Disagree: 6 (15.0%) Depends: 1 ( 2.5%)
Comments: - If it checks OK on the patient, the inspection's done. - We don't bother with "little" inspections. - The major inspection's not required as long as a major inspection is done once a year. - It depends upon the device, usually yes. - "In Use" inspections serve little purpose. - I'm too busy to track down equipment twice. - Putting "In Use" and Major inspections in the same class isn't much better than pencil whipping (falsifying inspections).
This issue's topic:
Traditionally, most equipment has been on a semi-annual inspection cycle, following JCAHO guidelines prior to the 1989 change to a minimum annual inspection. Is an annual inspection sufficient for most devices as a "default" inspection frequency, with exceptions checked more or less frequently?
(Topic idea submitted by Patrick Philbin, Presbyterian Hosp.)
To respond to PAMIA PHEEDBACK, follow instructions under "How to make PAMIA Newsletter contributions".
FAX DIRECTORY
Would you like to receive important information from PAMIA members at the speed of light? No problem! Just let Shrikant know your FAX number and we'll include it in the soon to be published membership directory. Simple! Fast! High Tech!
OVER THE COUNTER
Textbooks and expensive magazines aren't the only sources of information in Clinical Engineering. In each issue of the PAMIA Newsletter, "Over The Counter" will briefly list articles, in commercial magazines, pertaining (or closely pertaining) to Biomedical Instrumentation. Initially, the following magazines will be covered: Popular Science, Technology Review, Breakthroughs in Health & Science, Radio Electronics, In Health (formerly Hippocrates), Health, and Reader's Digest.
POPULAR SCIENCE - May 1991
* Field-emission Displays (FED's), High-definition/flat screen video display technology advances. (Electronics Newsfront, Pg. 26)
* Superconductor history, present status, and future applications. ("Superconductors Take Off", Pg. 101)
VIDEOMAKER - May 1991
* Nickel-Cadmium Battery characteristics, history, graphs, etc. ("Memory Myth Discharged", Pg. 68)
TECHNOLOGY REVIEW - May/June 1991
* Attaching Light-Sensitive chips to retinas to restore vision. ("Computerized Vision", MIT Reporter, Pg. 12)
* Nitinol history, present status, and future applications. ("The Metal that Remembers", Trends, Pg. 26)
RADIO ELECTRONICS - May 1991
* Toner-cartridge reloading. (Hardware Hacker, Pg. 65)
Are you subscribed to a magazine not listed above that contains articles for "Over The Counter"? To list articles, follow instructions under "How to make PAMIA Newsletter contributions".
SERVICE TIPS
Does midget-flange lamp handling give you larger than midget headaches? Try slipping a portion of shrink tubing over the lamp to grip it!
Need a quick check on an RF circuit? Touch a Neon lamp onto your test point, RF activity will light the lamp.
(Tips contributer's names withheld)
Have you found an easier or faster way to handle a repair or Insp/PM? Submit YOUR findings and share them with the PAMIA Membership!!! See "How to contribute to the PAMIA Newsletter"
PAMIA MEETING MINUTES
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
April 15th, 1991
by Ken Wilde, PAMIA Secretary
Jonathan Gaev, PAMIA Treasurer, reported income was down somewhat from last year, but that it may be caused by different bookkeeping systems.
Shree Chaudhary thanked Hank Hamarman for the excellent job he did putting together the inaugural issue of this newsletter. Shree also asked members to contribute to this publication. It was decided to add the minutes of the meetings to the newsletter.
Alan Barbell of ECRI explained their bulletin board, ECRINet, that they've set up for PAMIA use. The ECRINet telephone number is (215) 825-9284. An instruction screen will guide you through the system. As noted in the first issue, the communication parameters are:
May's Meeting at Hahnemann is to feature CITECH, a Swedish non-profit organization that certifies medical equipment. Kind of like U.L, but for medical equipment. May's Meeting will also include the topic of taking over X-Ray servicing in your hospital.
Bob Feldman, Biomed Instructor at Community College of Philadelphia was introduced, as were several students from the school. Several students need internship positions if anyone has an opening.
41 members attended the April Meeting.
POSITIONS WANTED/AVAILABLE
WANTED: Position as Biomedical, Clinical, or Electrical Engineer. Six years hospital experience: senior technician, circuit design and fabrication, investigation of incident reports, etc. Will complete BSEE at Drexel June 1991. Randy Libros, 5080 McKean Avenue, Phila PA 19144. (215) 438-1341.
AVAILABLE: Full-time BMET, 3-5 years exp. The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, 6th Ave & Spruce St. West Reading, PA 19611. Attn: Personnel Dept.
AVAILABLE: Two (2) full-time BMET positions. Experience in the repair and/or maintenance of Dialysis preferred. Albert Einstein Medical Center, York & Tabor Rds. Phila PA 19141. Attn: Scott Leshner, or call (215) 456-7335.
AVAILABLE: Field service tech, 30K. Call Wayne Wiederman, (215) 825-3850.
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PAMIA NEWSLETTER
Success of the fledgling PAMIA Newsletter depends on YOU, the PAMIA membership!!! Contributions are STRONGLY encouraged. Suggested material includes: Repair/PM Tips and/or findings, Editorials, Humor/Cartoons, General News, Department Profiles, Equipment Evaluations, and a Classified section including: Positions Wanted/Available and Used Equipment/Parts Wanted/Available.
The preferred method is to upload ASCII text files (no control codes), PCX or TIF graphics to the "PAMIA Lounge" on ECRINet, (215) 825-9284. Commodore and CP/M files can also be uploaded and converted on our end to ASCII. Clearly indicate file type when uploading PETSCII or CP/M.
...or mail contributions to:
Zurbrugg Memorial Hospital Clinical Engineering Department Hospital Plaza Riverside, NJ 08075
FAX #: (609) 835-3449 Phone (Lou Schonder) #: (609) 835-3488
Contributions can also be sent to the PAMIA Office at HUP.
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